20.06.2026 04:40
Former national football player and coach Tuncay Şanlı called for support for the Turkish National Football Team competing in the 2026 World Cup during an opening program he attended in the Bodrum district of Muğla.
Former national football player Tuncay Şanlı, who came to Bodrum from Istanbul, answered questions from the press at a restaurant opening. Emphasizing that the World Cup excitement is being experienced again after years, Şanlı said that the negative atmosphere after the first match created pressure on the national team.
''WE ARE AT THE WORLD CUP AFTER YEARS''
Reminding that Turkish football achieved significant successes in the past, Şanlı stated that he believes the current group of players will accomplish important things in the long run. Şanlı said, "The third place achieved in 2002 and the subsequent successes in the European Championship are in our memories. Now we are on the World Cup stage again. There was a lot of criticism after the first match. But the players were the ones who were most upset. They know how special and talented they are. We know it too. They need to leave the first match behind and show a reaction."
"THEY WILL BE DISCUSSED WHEN THEY RETURN, NOW IS TIME FOR SUPPORT"
Stating that the national team players need moral support, Şanlı gave a message of unity in his statements. Şanlı said, "Our prayers are with them. I think this generation will be successful in the national team for many years. We are in constant communication. But the intensity of criticism needs to be reduced. While the tournament continues, we should not wear out the players. After they return, everyone will make their own assessment. But today is time for support. Because they are our children, our brothers."
''IT COULD BE A TURNING POINT''
Stating that advancing from the group will change the atmosphere of the tournament, Şanlı expressed that the critical threshold is the match against Paraguay. Şanlı said, "The important thing is to overcome the Paraguay hurdle. We'll see what comes after. As a national team, we have always left our mark in the tournaments we participated in. We have the strength to do that again. It wouldn't be right to compare 2002 with today. Football has changed, the game has changed. Our only expectation is for them to fight. When they show that fight, they will make a difference with their talent."